What was grown in Russia until tomatoes and potatoes appeared

  • Nov 14, 2021
Usually a standard set is planted in the garden: potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, various greens, peppers, carrots. However, literally a century and a half ago, these vegetables did not belong to traditional Russian gardening. At the beginning of the 19th century, potatoes occupied only part of the country's agricultural land, and the Orthodox peasants did not accept the product at all. Tomatoes appeared in Europe by the end of the 19th century. And although there were carrots, they were not at all the bright orange variety to which we are accustomed. So what was grown in the Russian garden? Tell Novate.ru.
Usually a standard set is planted in the garden: potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, various greens, peppers, carrots. However, literally a century and a half ago, these vegetables did not belong to traditional Russian gardening. At the beginning of the 19th century, potatoes occupied only part of the country's agricultural land, and the Orthodox peasants did not accept the product at all. Tomatoes appeared in Europe by the end of the 19th century. And although there were carrots, they were not at all the bright orange variety to which we are accustomed. So what was grown in the Russian garden? Tell Novate.ru.
Usually a standard set is planted in the garden: potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, various greens, peppers, carrots. However, literally a century and a half ago, these vegetables did not belong to traditional Russian gardening. At the beginning of the 19th century, potatoes occupied only part of the country's agricultural land, and the Orthodox peasants did not accept the product at all. Tomatoes appeared in Europe by the end of the 19th century. And although there were carrots, they were not at all the bright orange variety to which we are accustomed. So what was grown in the Russian garden? Tell Novate.ru.
instagram viewer

1. Turnip

In the middle of summer, a yellow variety was sown, which could be kept in the ground until the first frost Photo: 4tololo.ru
In the middle of summer, a yellow variety was sown, which could be kept in the ground until the first frost / Photo: 4tololo.ru
In the middle of summer, a yellow variety was sown, which could be kept in the ground until the first frost / Photo: 4tololo.ru

Turnip was considered the main vegetable in Russia, and it appeared 40 (!) Centuries ago. In those days, the product replaced potatoes and practically played the role of "second bread". It is not for nothing that one of the most popular Russian fairy tales is about the turnip. As soon as it was warm in the spring, they sowed white turnips. The vegetable ripened quickly, but was not very sweet and did not last long. In the middle of summer, they sowed the already familiar yellow variety, which could be kept in the ground until the first frost and stored in the basement until January.

2. Cuboid Bow

Once upon a time, cubed onions were bred from onions by residents of Rostov Veliky / Photo: typicalof.com
Once upon a time, cubed onions were bred from onions by residents of Rostov Veliky / Photo: typicalof.com

You won't surprise anyone with a bow today. But besides the usual leek, onion and shallots, the peasants grew a cubic variety. Once upon a time it was taken from the onion by the inhabitants of Rostov the Great - one of the most ancient Russian cities (located in the Yaroslavl region). The onion is notable for the fact that there was absolutely no pungency and bitterness in it. It was eaten as a regular root vegetable or as a bite.

3. Swede

The root crop appeared due to the accidental crossing of cabbage and turnips / Photo: farming.org.ua
The root crop appeared due to the accidental crossing of cabbage and turnips / Photo: farming.org.ua

The root crop appeared due to the crossing of cabbage and turnip. Of course, this happened by accident, because no one was engaged in selection in those years. It tastes like a turnip, although it is much easier to care for the turnip. Most often, the root crop was sown in the north and northwest of the Russian Empire. Winters used to be much harsher than today, so more root crops were grown, because they are well stored. Also popular were radishes, parsley root, radish, parsnips, beets.

4. Rhubarb

In ancient times, the shores of the Wolf were completely dotted with its bright pink stems / Photo: azbukaogorodnika.ru
In ancient times, the shores of the Wolf were completely dotted with its bright pink stems / Photo: azbukaogorodnika.ru

The vegetable is a primordially Russian plant that resembles a burdock, only with larger leaves and massive stems. Rhubarb is easy to care for and grows on its own like a weed. In ancient times, the shores of the Wolf were completely dotted with its bright pink stems. Fruit drinks were prepared from the vegetable, jelly, preserves were cooked and the filling for pies was made.

5. Gray cabbage

Gray cabbage was not very juicy and sweet, so it was used only for crumbling / Photo: vseznaesh.ru
Gray cabbage was not very juicy and sweet, so it was used only for crumbling / Photo: vseznaesh.ru

The cabbage we are accustomed to was grown only by well-to-do people. It took up a lot of space in the beds, so it was unprofitable for ordinary peasants to plant it. Instead, they cultivated a gray variety that grew in a solid, leafy carpet. The cabbage was not very juicy and sweet, so it was used only for crumbling. The leaves were finely chopped, put in barrels with salt, the bottom of which was sprinkled with rye flour. Sauerkraut was used to prepare cabbage soup, popularly called servile.

>>>>Ideas for life | NOVATE.RU<<<<

6. Mustard

Spicy herbs were added to soups or eaten along with other "grass" / Photo: blackandwhiteseedcompany.com
Spicy herbs were added to soups or eaten along with other "grass" / Photo: blackandwhiteseedcompany.com

To the taste, mustard mustard is a cross between ordinary mustard and horseradish. Spicy herbs were added to soups or eaten along with other "herb". Traditional grain mustard appeared in Russia only by the end of the 18th century. The Germans crossed several varieties of the product, and then the novelty came to Russian gardens.

7. Goatbeard

The plant is also called oat root, but most of all it resembles garden asters / Photo: static.ogorodniki.com
The plant is also called oat root, but most of all it resembles garden asters / Photo: static.ogorodniki.com

The plant is also called oat root, but most of all it resembles garden asters. In Russia, they ate both white roots and young stems with leaves. So that the goatbeard would not taste bitter, it was boiled in salt water. The roots can be fried, stewed and added to first courses. Today, the goatbeard is most often planted in the garden as a companion plant. Amaranth, radish and horseradish were also grown.

8. Primrose

Young shoots of primrose were cut into salads and cold soups / Photo: cstor.nn2.ru
Young shoots of primrose were cut into salads and cold soups / Photo: cstor.nn2.ru

Young primrose shoots were cut into salads, used for botvinya (cold soup with sour kvass), turi (cold bread soup) and other dishes with an abundance of herbs.

When serfdom was abolished in 1861, potatoes began to actively spread through vegetable gardens. And by the end of the 19th century, he almost completely replaced other crops and to this day retains the vegetable primacy. Continuing the topic, we advise you to read about
"Primordial menu": what dishes the table was filled with in Ancient Russia.
A source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/120621/59344/

IT IS INTERESTING:

1. Why are cardboard and plywood houses being built in American suburbs?

2. How to process currants if the leaves are covered with red spots and curl

3. Why in the USSR they made glass balls that children wanted to play in the yards